North Cowichan council adopted revisions to the zoning bylaw to prohibit the sale, distribution or trade of cannabis in the municipality at its Aug. 15 meeting.
Council is requiring businesses or individuals interested in operating a cannabis retail location to first apply to rezone a particular property, thereby ensuring there is a process that allows for public input and gives council control over the location and number of retail cannabis stores.
The municipality has begun accepting rezoning applications for cannabis retail as of Aug. 16.
Council indicated the change is consistent with provincial requirements for a resolution of support from local governments in order for businesses or individuals to be eligible for a provincial cannabis retail store licence.
The Province has already begun accepting applications for private, non-medical cannabis retail store licences in anticipation of the legalization of non-medical cannabis on Oct. 17.
For information about Provincial requirements: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/liquor-regulation-licensing/cannabis-regulation.